Investing in public roadway infrastructure supports efficient transportation networks that help Canadians and their families get to work, school and essential services on time and back home safely at the end of a long day.

“Improving transportation infrastructure helps ensure that Canadians have more time to spend with their families every day. Once complete, these important roads projects in Alberton, Fort Frances, Dawson and O’Connor will result in safer and more efficient roadways for residents and visitors.”

Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay–Rainy River, on behalf of the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Rural Economic Development

“Kehl Bridge is an important piece of infrastructure for our community as well as the Rainy River District. It is located on the route designated to act as bypass should an emergency cause closure of the Highway 11/71 rail crossing.  This funding will help keep our community a safe and is greatly appreciated.”

Mike Ford, Reeve for the Corporation of the Township of Alberton. 

“The Town of Fort Frances is very pleased and would like to thank MP Rusnak and the Government of Canada for this funding announcement for the much needed revitalization of Colonization Road W. This stretch of municipal road has been repaired numerous times and has been unsafe for public use for a long time. This funding is greatly appreciated.”

Mayor June Caul, Fort Frances 

• Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada’s rural and northern communities.

• $2 billion of this funding is supporting infrastructure projects that meet the unique needs of rural and northern communities like facilities to support food security, local access roads and enhanced broadband connectivity.

• The federal share of investments for communities with fewer than 5,000 residents covers 60% of the total costs. 

• More than $10.1 billion of this funding is supporting trade and transportation projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

• Federal investment under the new agreement with Ontario for the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan will total over $10.4 billion. Funding will be distributed between four streams: rural and northern communities; public transit; green; and community, culture and recreation. 

• On June 27, 2019, the Government of Canada launched two new strategies: Canada’s Connectivity Strategy, which commits to connect all Canadians to high-speed internet, and Canada’s first Rural Economic Development Strategy, which will spur economic growth and create good, middle class jobs for rural Canadians across the country.

• The Rural Economic Development Strategy leverages ongoing federal investments and provides a vision for the future, identifying practical steps to take in the short term, and serving as a foundation to guide further work.

• Central to Canada’s Connectivity Strategy are historic new investments that are mobilizing up to $6 billion toward universal connectivity. They include a top-up to the Connect to Innovate Program, a new Universal Broadband Fund, and investments from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

Related products

• Backgrounder - Residents in Alberton, Dawson and O’Connor to benefit from bridge replacement and roadway drainage improvements

Associated links

• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map
• Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario
• Rural Opportunity, National Prosperity: An Economic Development Strategy for Rural Canada
• 2019 Ontario Budget: Protecting What Matters Most

Emilie Simard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development
613-864-7690
emilie.simard3@canada.ca

Christine Bujold
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Laurie Scott, Minister of Infrastructure
416-325-6955
Christine.Bujold@ontario.ca

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